Respectfully declined for anonymous–and he just HAS to know who I am, where I live, where I work, what I do to even think about conducting business. Why do you need all that information? He should have just quit while he was behind but he goes further: My process is flawed because I give “similar questions ( I have 2 sets-one for candidates and one for incumbents), I don’t send the questions FIRST so that they can decide to do the interview (I have told every candidate that they can decline even after I send them the questions) and since he gets many questionnaires from……ready…..LEGITAMATE organizations (I think that Joe B. proved that NVTH is legit and confirmed by the many politicos and celebrities that grace this blog) but sites 2–the Chamber of Commerce and the NEA! The alarm bells in my head are deafening.

Mr. Buona seems like a likable person. I couldn’t tell you with the military/corporate executive arrogance in his statements. I have dealt with that type all my life. He is an east/west kinda guy; that is to say crowd the east and save the west. He wants data centers all over for revenue. We’ve lost AOL, MCI ducked out on back taxes, isn’t Telos moving somewhere? I gather that his insight for progressing and prospering is to first grow the county government to be able to assess our needs and then spend more money trying to coddle business. I could go on but his basic read is at his website.

He says he’s running for his family and mine but I don’t see that so leave my family out of it. Now I’m not here to hurt any parties or ruffle any feathers but, then again, I’m not into popularity contests either. Something ain’t right here and my gut tells me no, no, no! Here is another race with a lack of choice. Just hold your nose when you pull the lever.

Comments

I’m seeing an inflated sense of self-worth here….from you.
Any candidate who does not seek your viewpoint and information, but agrees to answer unseen questions beforehand ought to have their head examined.

The Chamber of Commerce’s questions, for comparison….already have the validity of the organization’s mission statement. When those questions are forwarded, we already know the point of view that they are being asked in. Same for the LEA.
For ANONYMOUS to forward something is completely off the charts of anything approaching sanity.

Monk, I believe I hit your nerve. I have my viewpoint which I’m allowed and have stated. All voters have them. Just like all voters should be seeking pertinent information instead of getting a political flyer of clone bullet points of what the county needs. I did not send you an interview request because you aren’t running for anything. I’m sure the candidates in the LCRC have asked about me and showed you my request. The request is for an interview. If you agree then the next step is to send the questions. At that point, if you don’t want to answer then that is fine. The procedure is telling at every step. You have not seen me disc ANY candidate that has answered for the simple reason that THEY are selling themselves. People’s words are very telling in and of themselves and I could pick apart any candidate just by their website. I can pick apart anyone with a couple minutes of conversation. I have no need to push a platform of “self worth” as you say. I am not vain in any sense. I am a voter and I know what people say and then what people do. If that doesn’t suit you then I’m sorry but that is the way it is. You can keep your opinion and I will keep mine because my opinion is what counts when I vote.

Written by BlackOut about 4 years ago.

ACT, I think you stretching it here. Joe B was credible, not “his” website creation. He also used his own name. I’d cut these candidates some slack based on both points.

Written by BlackOut about 4 years ago.

Additionally, based on how you smirk at Buona just for saying no, I can’t imagine what you’d say if you could note that he “asked for your questionnaire and then didn’t answer it”.

Written by ACTivist about 4 years ago.

BlackEye, you are miss reading again. Saying “no” is one thing but elaborating on it the way he did was something else. Being anonymous is what almost every voter in his district is yet he expects those people to vote for him on what information? His website? Because Frank Wolf endorses him? Because he lists the issues that all candidates list and says he will “work on them”? You might be that easy a voter but I’m not. And all the campaign parties, rubbing elbows and such, will not give me one lick of additional information when candidates won’t answer straight questions, make a stand about issues and give a plan about solving specific problems. I get fed up with the song and dance.

Unless you’ve forgotten, “we are Joe!” When you denounce the credibility of the “blog”, you slap every commenter and poster here. You believe what you choose.

Except for a certain dyed-in-the-wool Yank who enjoys partnering with a dyed-in-the-wool Reb after four long years of our ancestors shootin’ at each other. Had a feller who died during the first day at Shiloh and another who helped take Joe Johnston’s surrender in the Carolinas. Course, some of them fellers shootin’ at them were my other relatives from Alabama. Nice to be a family again.

Message for you on the other channel, Reb. If anybody starts hacking this thing, I may have to resort once again to the pickets passing messages across the river at night.

“I did not send you an interview request because you aren’t running for anything.” And I insisted that I get one? Exactly where?
Nobody said I wanted one.
The Candidates recieve an anonymous request, and most discard it.
The point made above is stark. Joe Bud used his name. You, OTOH, are a ghost and an unknown who expects candidates to submit answers (which you might actually twist and tear apart the context of, for all they know.) Organized groups such as the Chamber and other higher profile groups are more trusted with information that some anonymous hack.
For clarity…I did not just call you a hack. But to these candidates who do not know you from Adam…you could be.
And nobody is ticked off here…nor did you hit any nerves. I don’t have a dog in the hunt…but some of the candidates do. It’s important that you realize the other point of view and a possible explanation for the nonparticipation.

Monk, unless you read the request, you don’t know what was in it. I will enlighten you so that you can see I covered all bases and was cordial. I understand your statement and know you weren’t addressing me from your standpoint but from the candidates and I appreciate that. Still, accountability is just that and I want more DIRECT answers than just a campaign speech or handout literature. Politicians run scared when they feel they might be “undressed” so to speak.

Although you may feel that these legitimate/high profile organizations tout weight I, on the other hand, feel a level of bias/corruption has infiltrated most organizations. Just like seniors believing AARP. The NEA is an organization with one purpose–giving teachers and others in field of education a job, benefits and voice. Without IT and if teachers’ pay was pinned to performance, I feel we would HAVE education back in the classroom. So your right: if the candidates feel that the NEA or AARP best represents their need for votes because they are legitimate then I, as a leery voter, run the other way. People are held accountable for their actions and must pick and choose what they feel is best for them. I have no problem with that and it is all telling of the individual.

Liz, I came; I saw; I went. Since you directed me toward your site I guess the “don’t whine” part was directed at me. That’s alright. My anonymity is much more important then responses for anything. I could care less who knows me but others tend to frown and react differently so I am a slave to my “ghost self”. Maybe someday when Mama and I are truly done with our jobs. In the meantime, I guess all I can do is continue to whine.

Hey, I’m not trying to take your anonymity away. I’m just saying that it comes with a cost.

When you keep complaining about the cost of your choices? It sounds whiny.

Written by Dulles voter about 4 years ago.

I’m not sure why the anonymity should matter. An answer to a question should be the person’s answer to the question. The only reason I can come up with that this would be a problem is if they want to play politics and frame their answer to appeal to an audience.

I can understand someone not sure they want to give an interview if they don’t have the chance to see the questions up front. Getting blindsided by an unfriendly audience is not fun especially if you don’t see it coming but since Act is willing to give the questions up front and then let the candidate decide I don’t see a big problem.

It seems to me that the candidates don’t have a lot of confidence in positions if they are not willing to clearly state them.

Act, I feel you still missed the point. AARP and NEA have agendas. Nobody is refuting that. I agree wholeheartedly. The point is that when a canidate does an interview with those organizations, they already understand the lean that will be placed on that interview. The Chamber of Commerce, for instance…will tout the businesses aspects on the words of any interview.
You, OTOH, are an unknown entity with who-knows-what-agenda (to them –again, I’m not casting any foul assertions on YOUR intent)

Furthermore — “unless you’ve seen the request”…
ACT…I thought I’d been clear enough up the comments. I have seen the request. I signalled the participation of two candidates to it.

Written by HFTB about 4 years ago.

This is another candidate who is going magically solve all our problems through economic development and does not talk about cutting spending. Looking at the Rs vs. the Ds, I’m not seeing a whole lot of difference between the 2. Most of the Ds are also touting economic development as the panacea. If the Rs win control of the board in November, it’s going to be as bad as the 03 R-majority board.

HFTB…respectfully, no it’s not. I personally vouch for two of these people. …because of longtime friendships and multiple occurances of fellowship over the years with them.
A third candidate is a spectacularly gifted young man who can be trusted to do the right thing in Dulles. In the world where 5 votes are needed, I’d like to see more promise from the others that their own agendas will not cloud their judgements. Scott York will round out this Board with a trusted 4 votes. The interesting part is who will provide that fifth vote for the people.

That’s from someone who thought that the current crop was actually speaking on their true beliefs(and with whom I was familair with none, really)…and also the ones who failed miserably enough to make me take it personally ….that their actions and their intents weren’t in the same zipcodes.
The only ones I’m willing to vouch for are indeed the ones I’ve personally known the longest.
And the others, while sounding great….I don’t trust as far as I can throw them, until I’ve seen more from them. Right now, either Shawn Williams or Cliff Keirce could provide that fifth vote….

No, Monk, you only alluded to “it’s okay cause I know the guy”. If you actually read the request I sent to all candidates then you would see how benign and sincere it was. I left them an “out” at every turn and told them I would tell readers why they declined PLUS add my see on things. I offered them this venue to “sell themselves”-unedited and without remarks from me. It’s as plain as white bread. I thought I would help them out but there are some too shy, too scared or whatever. Again, if they can’t take heat from voters asking very pointed questions then why should anyone allow them to slide into a political slot that deals with the general well-being of the county or state?

I’m having my say. I’m neutral on some and harsher on others because that is what I read. If they want to tell me I’m wrong, fine. I’m right here but I did give them first opportunity. I don’t want anymore loser candidates from ANY side!

Liz, I haven’t complained with the cost of my choices. It is what it is. I’m living with it. I would have preferred hearing from the candidates themselves as I’m sure all interested would. I only complain about the candidate from what I SEE. Whether it be who you are pushing for, Monk is pushing for or LI is pushing for it doesn’t matter. I see things I don’t like and want to know. When I get bland-take no stance-answers then I am bothered. Now some of these people may fool others but they aren’t fooling me. Like the banner reads “Where you are held accountable for your convictions and record”. The safe position is to say and do nothing and that is telling. Me, I care about who represents me and this isn’t selfish because I care for everyone else as well. We may not see eye to eye but I want those issues addressed and resolved for the welfare of this county.

Written by DC Beltway Bandit about 4 years ago.

ACT – do you expect to hear from Buona? I’ve read your other interviews with great interest, but Buona seems to be MIA as of late.

Written by HFTB about 4 years ago.

“Scott York will round out this Board with a trusted 4 votes.”

Monk, I’m going to have to respectfully disagree with you if you mean trusted to not raise taxes, because Scott York has been around for a long time and I know what his record is and I don’t expect him to change during years 17 to 20 of his political career, if he is reelected.

DCBB, my comment on Buona tells the tale. He declined but in an arrogant and scolding way that I found offensive. That may work for his family and employees but it doesn’t work for me. No. I expect no further correspondence from him. Ashburn voters will have to wriggle thru this quagmire alone. I just assume null and void both candidates and find a more responsible one at the unemployment office. At least that individual would want to do their best just to have a job.

HFTB…Oh…. you’re one of THOSE. Get over it.
York will do just fine. I suppose you also think those massive developments with all their school enrolment did nothing to your taxes, huh? York attempted to stop that ill last time around, and unwittingly (like me) backed jagov’s with their own agenda. That’s the biggest part of my reluctance this year. I can only endorse those that I trust…and York is in that number.
Buona may be a fine guy… but recent developments have made me leary of his true intent. It may be perfectly fine…but I’m not sold this time.

Written by Eric the 1/2 troll about 4 years ago.

“HFTB…respectfully, no it’s not. I personally vouch for two of these people. …”

Oh…well…that changes everything…alrighty then…

“That’s from someone who thought that the current crop was actually speaking on their true beliefs(and with whom I was familair with none, really)…and also the ones who failed miserably enough to make me take it personally ….”

Or…maybe not alrighty….

Written by Liberal Anthropologist about 4 years ago.

Buona has a serious issue.

Liz is wrong. It doesn’t matter who asks a question and whether it is anonymous. Almost every question a candidate gets is anonymous. If the concern is that the blogger will distort (and where is there an example), then they can do that without an answer. They can just make up whatever they want.

Buona is avoiding questions. I have asked him questions he may be uncomfortable answering. He is very much at risk of losing this seat due to his attitude and approach.

He seems to be a bit immature. But I am giving him a few more days to correct his current errors or explain them. After which I will be writing my post on him.

He is losing Republican voters left and right as time goes by without key questions answered.

Written by DC Beltway Bandit about 4 years ago.

Act – it would appear that Buona has some serious chutzpah. I re-read your original post and I am blown away by Buona’s temerity to question your background and intentions. Given the “friendly” climate of this blog, one would think Buona would embrace your inquiry. When will candidates in Loudoun understand…never piss off a political blogger.

Written by Had Enough about 4 years ago.

“he just HAS to know who I am, where I live, where I work, what I do.” Damn, I thought a confidentiality agreement was going to be the next request.

Truthfully, there are far too many candidates who feel that their personal life, finances, background, education, associations, views on the issues, etc. are their personal business only. Typical politician, they want to run you through NCIC, but don’t question them on anything.

We still don’t know a damn thing about the dotus, why? Because no one had the guts to push it for fear of being called a racist, he could have been bin laden after plastic surgery and no one would have known the difference.

Public Servant is now We The People you peasants.

There is no procedure nationwide on any level for vetting anyone.

Written by Ashburn watcher about 4 years ago.

Buona has been a “no show” in our district. He has sent numerous volunteers knocking on doors, but I haven’t seen him knock on one himself. We just quietly refuse to hand out his materials after he gives us granola bars and then leaves us to do all his work. He can’t have anything handed out without Tag Greesons stuff being attached – even when we aren’t in Tag’s district. He won’t appear in public without other republican candidates holding his hand. He is a “carpetbagger” of the worst kind -trying to get elected on someone else’s coattails, and, based upon his campaign contributions, in the pockets of some big guys who are definitely not well liked in his own district. This is a guy who thinks he should be elected simply because he is him, and doesn’t really have any real platform. His number two in charge has actually told people “it’s none of your business” when they ask about Ralph’s position on things. If he gets elected, people are dumber than I thought!

Written by BlackOut about 4 years ago.

Ashburn watcher, be fair here. I’ve seen Buona walking and knocking on doors on several weekends. He stopped by my house last week, with his wife. You can go after him on policy or initiatives but I would not say he’s been a “no show”.

Written by Ashburn watcher about 4 years ago.

Well, glad to hear it — he’s then an “almost” no show

Written by HFTB about 4 years ago.

From what I’m hearing about Buona, he sounds a lot like another Steve Snow. Will he also rubber stamp every fat budget Hatrick sends him and have no problem raising taxes to pay for it? Nothing’s to expensive for your family!

Written by Ashburn watcher about 4 years ago.

Ralph Buona quoted in Leesburg Today, “We need to let the School Board run the schools…. The Board of Supervisors has the monetary obligation”

Yeah, the School Board that his boss John Wood is working to shape with his buddy John Stevens and their PAC. The boss who wrote letters as Economic Development Commission Chairman telling the BOS they absolutely had to approve Hatrick’s bloated budget for the sake of the business climate in Loudoun. Real easy for a multi-multi-millionaire to make such statements. So how to you think Buona will vote on that “monetary obligation”??? Interesting that he used the word “obligation” instead of responsibility. Sounds like another John Wood/John Stevens press release.

Written by Ashburn watcher about 4 years ago.

I recently met Debbie Rose and was VERY impressed. Of course, Educate Loudoun wouldn’t endorse HER, as she wants transparency in the school budget, has young kids in the school system, is smart and articulate, and not a member of the GOBGN. Wood, Buona, Hatrick, Stevens, Educate Loudoun…one and the same!

John Wood and company are going to have to spend an awful lot of money to try to re-elect their ringleader puppet John Stevens. Debbie Rose has all the momentum in that race. After all who else will guide the Telos building deal through the School Board? I don’t think Debbie Rose would be too keen on such an obvious insider conflicted deal.

Where is that article with the Buona post, I couldn’t find it online?

Written by Ashburn watcher about 4 years ago.

LI, you have to look on page 53 of the actual, honest to goodness paper — I couldn’t find it online either. Leesburg Today could use a little “coaching” regarding their online availability.

There are intricate details involved in the issues that Buona has discussed. The issues are nowhere near as cut and dried as has been portrayed here and elsewhere. I spoke with Ralph at a forum on Saturday, and he has a fantastic grasp on these issues. Some folks think that the water is only a couple inches deep (inability to actually be cognitive of the complexities) , but are shocked to discover that it’s eight feet deep and that they’re now drowning because they doubted that.
The holes in Ralph’s opponent’s arguments cannot begin to be covered here.

Written by Ashburn watcher about 4 years ago.

yes, eighty feet deep…. into Bill Dean and John Woods pockets!!!

Written by HFTB about 4 years ago.

Hey Monk, perhaps you could enlighten me on some of the intricate details of how Ralph Buona plans to fulfill his vision:

“We can offer the highest level of education to our children, the highest level of service to our citizens, and do so while reducing the extraordinary tax burden placed upon all Loudoun citizens.”

Speaking of school spending, LCPS teachers are no longer the lowest paid in the metro area, thanks to the 3 percent raise this year. LCPS now ranks 5th out of 8, because other school divisions either did not give raises or gave less than LCPS did.

That gives the school board one less thing to whine about during the FY13 budget process.

They’ll still whine about it, after all if we are going to attract the best, we must pay the best, right??? And I assume you’re just talking about base salary – when you factor in full benefits Loudoun usually ranks at the top for teacher compensation.

Written by HFTB about 4 years ago.

Yes, just base salary. LCPS was ranked first in benefits last year and could still be there this year, so they could very well be tops in total compensation now.

Written by Cathymac/Loudoun Lady about 4 years ago.

1-3% within the region is not enough for teachers to start leaving the county in which they work, and it never will be. This is one of the great lies in the arsenal of our Superintendent HAtrick’s budget scare tactics when he proclaims that teachers will start leaving in droves because Fairfax pays slightly more.

Written by HFTB about 4 years ago.

Cmac – Prince William Public Schools had 43,000 applicants for 650 teaching positions and they are paying less than LCPS this year:

I don’t know how many applicants LCPS had for the 350 newly-hired teachers, but it’s got to be about the same. It’s going to be pretty hard for Hatrick to argue that LCPS salaries aren’t high enough to attract good teachers!